Cong. Aquino awards P240T tech-voc scholarship grant, other goodies for women sector

Hon. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II, Representative of the 1st Congressional District of Butuan and Las Nieves, swooped down at the Las Nieves Training Center (LNTC) of Brgy. Mat-i here and attended an elaborate ceremony just recently to award an early Christmas gift amounting to a total of PhP240,000 to 24 scholars under his I-CARE Program.

The scholars, who are currently taking up the TESDA-registered National Certification (NC) Level II Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) at the LNTC were brimming with excitement, noting full well that no less than the good and debonair Congressman “Joboy” Aquino had reached down to their level to facilitate their desire of going back to school in order to finish a course at their very own hometown.

Congressman Aquino revealed in his speech that he is further committing an additional 40 slots of scholarship grants to the constituents here for them to take up the exportable SMAW NC II skills training. Putting more substance to what he had started, he is likewise committing to provide two additional units of portable grinders for the SMAW NC II skills training.

He hoped that, after the training, his constituents will be given the opportunity to work abroad and earn better salaries to improve their economic status.

For the early part of year 2009, he exuberantly revealed that he will be allocating funds to the tune of PhP200,000.00 from his PDAF for the construction of Small Business Center of Women to be established at the heart of Las Nieves itself. On top of that, he aims to provide an additional PhP200,000.00 for the livelihood program of the women sector. In conjunction with this commitment, he instructed TESDA Agusan del Norte to assist in the preparation of the technical working papers for submission to his Congressional Office.

Congressman Aquino said his move is in line with his belief that “sustainable livelihood is the prerequisite for a dignified tomorrow.” He argued that “women ought not to be victims or passive recipients of aid.” Waxing positive, he noted that “when given the proper resources, women are capable of changing their lives and those of their children, families and communities.” For this reason, “women need assistance in acquiring skills to become economically productive, and that they should be provided with economic literacy, including access to loans and formal sector employment.

At the bottom line, he appreciated TESDA for the good partnership and collaboration it has done in order for him to serve and develop his constituents better.

OIC-Regional Director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. of TESDA Caraga, during his turn to speak, informed the audience that Cong. Aquino had actually allocated funds for several skills development scholarship programs for the 1st District of Butuan City and Las Nieves.

Just a run down, under the PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Program, Cong. Aquino invested PhP4.5 Million good for three years or spread at PhP1.5 Million per year, which commenced on 2008 until 2010. His scholarship investment was counterparted with the same amount by TESDA for a total of PhP9.0 Million good for three years.

OIC-Provincial Director Leo V. Velez acknowledged that the Hon. Aquino was the first-ever Congressman in Caraga Region to have committed himself in supporting the I-CARE Program by signing the Memorandum of Agreement with TESDA.

For the Ladderized Education Program, he has likewise invested another PhP266,000.00 for the year 2008 for his Congressional District.

Finally, he has also allocated PhP1,014,780.00 under the Private Education Students Financial Assistance for this year. (TESDA-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Caraga)